MIT I BULLETIN 4 • Saturday, April 24, 2021 • editor • [email protected]

MONTHLY INVITATIONAL TEAMS TOP ONLINE BRIDGE EVENTS • MIT.BRIDGERESULTS.ORG

Bertheau vs. Levine

Determining the top four was down to the last of the Round Robin. Gupta lost to Bertheau and had to watch breath withheld to see whether they would be overtaken. They could exhale when Wolfson's 1 IMP-victory over Setton only brought the team honorable mention as the first non-qualifier. Ireland-Levine was a thriller turning into a horror-movie from an Irish perspective as they went from a narrow, but sufficient, lead to lose 37 IMPs in the last three boards, propelling Levine into second ahead of Nickell and Gupta. That left Bertheau the choice between the T-Rex and the Velociraptor. They chose to face Nickell (that must be a first) and their courage was rewarded with a win. That left Gupta and Levine in each other's arms, and halfway it looked like another close encounter until Levine slayed their rivals to face Bertheau in today's final. Yesterday we parted with six amazing teams. It has been a pleasure and a privilege hosting and watching you during the past four days and we hope to see you again.

All players should enter BBO 10 Today’s Schedule minutes before the beginning of a Saturday April 24 match. TD Denis Dobrin will instruct you where to sit. All players must 11:00 Eastern Time / 17:00 CET – Final Seg- ment 1/3 (14 boards) have their name in their BBO-profile. Private isn't allowed for the sake of After 10 minutes break – Final Segment 2/3 opponents and kibitzers. After 10 minutes break – Final Segment 3/3

- 1 - Results

Round Robin Final Ranking

Event website Results mit.bridgeresults.org

- 2 - High Anxiety

By

The seventh round offered numerous 2♦ Relay chances for the teams needing swings. 2♠ 4♦ This was one of them: 4♣ Club fit, RKCB 4♦ Odd keycards Board 5. Dealer North. NS Vul. 4♥ Ask ♣Q 4♠ ♣Q and cue ♠ Q 10 2 ♥ Q J 9 6 5 2 South led the ♦8 and declarer won with ♦ 4 the jack, played a club to the ace, cashed ♣ J 7 6 the ♠A, South dropping the king under the ace, ruffed a spade with the♣ 8, went ♠ A J 8 6 4 3 ♠ 9 to dummy with a heart and ruffed a spade ♥ A K ♥ 10 8 3 with the ♣9, claiming when the suit ♦ 2 ♦ A K J 10 divided. ♣ A K 10 4 ♣ Q 9 8 5 2 This line delivers all the tricks even if the ♠ K 7 5 spades are 4-2, as long as North has the ♣J. ♥ 7 4 ♦ Q 9 8 7 6 5 3 ♣ 3 WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Wolfson Franceschetti Garner Setton How do you like your chances in 7♣? As — Pass Pass Pass long as the black suits behave 13 tricks should be straightforward. 1♠ Pass 1NT* Pass 3♣* Pass 3♦* Pass Wolfson v Setton 3NT Pass 4♣ Pass

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH 4NT Pass 6♣ All Pass Versace Cohler Lauria Padon — Pass 1♣ Pass 1NT Forcing 1♠ Pass 2♣ Pass 3♣ Game forcing, says nothing about clubs 2♦* Pass 2♠* Pass 3♦ Asking relay 4♣* Pass 4♦* Pass North led a diamond and declarer won 4♥* Pass 4♠* Pass and went after the spades, soon claiming 7♣ All Pass all the tricks, but losing 11 IMPs - a big blow to Wolfson's hopes of making the cut.

- 3 - (Clearly partnering West led the ♥K and when East followed Zia when this picture was taken) with the ten he cashed the ♠A and con- tinued with the three, East ruffing and returning the ♥8. West won and played the ♠4 and East ruffed. The defenders were sure of eight tricks, -800, but it was a 12 IMP loss.

Edmonds v Nickell

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Hampson Z Grossack Greco Edmonds — Pass Pass Pass 1♣* 1♥ 2♣* Pass 2♠ Pass 3♦ Pass 3♥ Pass 4♣ Pass 4♥* Pass 4NT* Pass Bertheau v Gupta 7♣ All Pass

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Zia Zagorin Gold Bertheau 1♣ Strong Club 2♣ Game forcing, natural — Pass Pass Pass 4♥ 'I was hoping this would be RKCB in 2♣* Pass 2♦* Pass clubs' 2♠ Pass 2NT* Pass 4NT '1 key card if RKCB, not clear though' 3♣ Pass 4♣ Pass After the diamond lead, declarer setup the 4♠ Pass 4NT* Pass spades, +1440. 5♣* Pass 7♣ All Pass

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH 2NT 'Shows some values' Brink Nickell Drijver Katz 4NT 'Should be RKCB ♣' — Pass Pass Pass Declarer won the diamond lead and 1♠ Pass 1NT Pass played to set up the spades, +1440. 2♣* Pass 2♦* Pass 2♥* Pass 2♠* Pass WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH 3♥* Pass 4♣ Pass Hallberg Gupta Hult Korbel 4♦* Pass 4♠* Pass — Pass Pass 2♦ 4NT* Pass 5♣* Pass Dble All Pass 6♣ All Pass

- 4 - 2♣ Gazilli 2♦ 8-11 2♥ 15+, 2 suited hand 2♠ 2♥ puppet to 2♠ 3♥ 6♠, 4♣ 4♦ 4♠ 4NT Optional Blackwood 5♣ Minimum Team Ireland

A diamond lead was followed by the regula- tion line of play, and an 11 IMP loss. South led the ♥7 and declarer won with dummy's ace, cashed the ♠A, ruffed a Ireland v Levine spade with the ♣8,crossed to dummy with a club and ruffed a spade with the♣ 9, WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH +1440. Helness Carroll Helgemo Moran — Pass Pass Pass WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH FitzGibbon Meckstroth Mesbur Rodwell 1♠ Pass 1NT Pass — 2♥ Pass Pass 2NT* Pass 3♣* Pass Dble Pass 3♣* Pass 3♦* Pass 3♥* Pass 3♠ Pass 4♦ Pass 4♣ Pass 4♦ Pass 4♥* Pass 5♣ Pass 4♥ Dble Pass Pass 7♣ All Pass Rdbl Pass 4♠* Pass 7♣ All Pass 3♣ Natural with values 4♥ 'Probably RKCB for diamonds' 2NT Game forcing 3♣ One 5 card minor South led the ♦7 and declarer won with 3♦ Relay the jack, played a spade to the ace, ruffed 3♥ Clubs a spade and then ruffed a diamond with Rdbl 'First' ♣10. To his horror, North overruffed which 4♠ RKCB meant a loss of 16 IMPs and an early flight back to Ireland.

- 5 - Blind spot By Toine van Hoof

Even world class players now and then Now South had to the♥ Q with a high have a blind spot. and could not afford to ruff his last This was a board from one of the earlier club with the ♠K. So he ruffed with the ♠2 rounds (hands rotated to make it more and East overruffed for down one. difficult for nosey parkers to trace back the name of our unfortunate declarer): Double dummy South could have survived by ducking the ♣A and subsequently set- Dealer South. EW Vul. ting up dummy’s diamonds.

♠ K 2 There was, however, a much simpler way ♥ A 9 8 2 as was demonstrated by the two other ♦ A J 8 3 2 declarers who received the lead of the ♥J ♣ A 2 in their 4♠ contract. They won with the ace, drew trumps and developed a heart as ♠ 8 5 ♠ 10 9 4 their tenth trick. Piece of cake. ♥ J 4 ♥ K Q 6 5 3 ♦ Q 9 4 ♦ K 6 5 ♣ Q J 8 5 4 3 ♣ K 6

♠ A Q J 7 6 3 ♥ 10 7 ♦ 10 7 ♣ 10 9 7

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH – – – 2♠ Pass 4♠ All Pass

West led the ♥J. Declarer won with the ace and cunningly continued with the ♥2.

East was not to be fooled and rose with the is not our fea- king. He returned the ♥5. South pitched tured declarer, but he looks so the ♦7 and West ruffed. Declarer won the cute we will bring his picture ♣5 return with the ace and played the ♣2 anyway. Photo: Peg Kaplan to East’s king.

- 6 - DISCOVER THE NEW

M O N E M P L O I D U T E M P S THE MARCH ISSUE HAS JUST BEEN RELEASED!

In this issue The March 2021 issue of BeBRIDGE is a veritable cornucopia. Discover the Secrets of winning pairs and read all about the Transatlantic Seniors Cup. Find out what it's like to be a Director and take our quiz about the History of bridge. 's Abbot is back with the latest instalment of the adventures of his bridge playing monks and Frankly Speaking meets Fernando Lema. Along with the regular articles that stimulate your 'little grey cells' it's an issue you can't afford to miss.

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- 7 - Trio

Semifinals By Mark Horton

As the spectre of retirement begins to 1♣ Strong loom (say in 20 year's time) I am busy 1♥ Artificial GF without 5+♠ or 6 other assembling a collection of my favourite 2♦ Waiting, asking for major movies. Quartet is high on my list, a delightful comedy about a group of retired North led the ♠J and declarer won with musicians. A terrific cast of British stars dummy's ace, ruffed a club and played is headed by Maggie Smith and it also a heart for the ten and king. he ruffed includes some terrific classical music, not the diamond return, ruffed a club, drew least the famous quartet from Rigoletto. trumps and claimed when the club queen I had been planning to write about four put in an appearance, +680. deals, but the sun is shining and the au pair wants to have a pub lunch. WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Hallberg Baqai Hult Dunitz Board 3. Dealer South. EW Vul. — — — Pass ♠ J 6 Pass Pass 1♣ Pass ♥ 8 4 3 1♥* Pass 4♦* Pass ♦ A 10 9 8 2 4♥ Pass 5♥ All Pass ♣ Q 9 7 ♠ K 10 8 3 ♠ A Q 5 2 ♥ J 9 7 6 ♥ A Q 10 5 1♥ 'May have longer diamonds' ♦ Q J 7 4 3 ♦ — 4♦ Splinter ♣ — ♣ A K J 4 2 ♠ 9 7 4 West's trumps were modest and it was ♥ K 2 unclear if a in partner's suit was an ♦ K 6 5 asset. Declarer had no trouble taking 12 ♣ 10 8 6 5 3 tricks for a flat baord. I'll leave to consider the best way for Bertheau v Nickell East to proceed over 4♥; the possibilities include 4♠ and 5♦. WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Hampson Zamir Greco Toledano Levine v Gupta

— — — Pass WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Pass Pass 1♣* Pass Korbel Meckstroth Gupta Rodwell 1♥* Pass 2♣ Pass — — — Pass 2♦* Pass 2♥ Pass Pass Pass 1♣ Pass 4♥ All Pass 1♥ Pass 4♦* Pass 4♥ All Pass

- 8 - Declarer collected the regulation 12 tricks, +680.

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Helness de Wijs Helgemo Muller — — — Pass Pass 1♦* Dble Pass 2♦ Pass 3♦ Pass 4♦ Pass 5NT* Pass 6♦ Pass 6♥ All Pass

1♦ 3+♦ 5NT 'Pick'

South led the ♦5 for the queen, ace and a Oren Toledano and ruff and declarer ruffed a club and played Ami Zamir a heart for the queen and king. Helgemo won the heart return, ruffed a club, came to hand with a spade and drew the outstanding trump, +1430 and 13 IMPs. Bertheau v Nickell

The au pair wanted to know what would WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH have happened if South had followed Hampson Zamir Greco Toledano smoothly with the ♥2 on the first round of the suit. If declarer ruffs a club and repeats 1♣* Pass 2♦* Pass the heart south wins and can play 2♠ Pass 2NT Pass the ♦K, establishing a trick for North's 3♦ Pass 4♥* Pass remaining heart. 5♣* Dble 5NT* Pass Board 4. Dealer West. All Vul. 6♣ Pass 6♦ All Pass

♠ Q 8 6 4 ♥ 8 7 2 1♣ Strong ♦ 10 4 2♦ Natural, good 11+ ♣ Q 10 9 8 4♥ RKCB ♠ A K 10 9 7 ♠ J 5 5♣ '2 without' ♥ Q ♥ K 10 4 3 5NT 'Pick a slam' ♦ K J 7 ♦ A Q 8 5 3 ♣ K J 5 2 ♣ A 4 South led the ♣3 for the two, eight and ace ♠ 3 2 and declarer cashed dummy's top spades ♥ A J 9 6 5 and then ruffed the ♠10 with the♦ 8. ♦ 9 6 2 South overruffed and cashed his ace, -100. ♣ 7 6 3

- 9 - WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH South led the ♦2 and declarer won Hallberg Baqai Hult Dunitz with dummy's king and played the ♥Q, 1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass South taking the ace and exiting with a diamond. Declarer won, ruffed a diamond, 3♥* Pass 4♣ Pass came to hand with the ♣A, drew the 4♦ Pass 4♥ Pass outstanding trump and played the ♠AK10. 4♠ Pass 4NT Pass When he decided to ruff the third round 5♥ Pass 6♦ All Pass he was one down, -100 and no doubt surprised to discover it was a 3 IMP gain. 3♥ Splinter Board 15. Dealer South. NS Vul. The lead of the ♣7 was covered by the jack, queen and ace and declarer drew trumps, ♠ 10 9 7 6 3 North discarding the ♥7. Declarer took ♥ J dummy's top spades and then ran the ♠10 ♦ 7 6 4 claiming when South discarded, +1370 and ♣ 8 6 4 3 16 IMPs. ♠ K J 5 2 ♠ Q 4 ♥ A 5 2 ♥ Q 9 8 3 Levine v Gupta ♦ J 10 ♦ A K Q 9 ♣ A K Q 5 ♣ J 10 7 WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH ♠ A 8 Korbel Meckstroth Gupta Rodwell ♥ K 10 7 6 4 1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass ♦ 8 5 3 2 ♣ 9 2 3♦ Pass 4♥* Pass 5♣* Dble 5♥ Pass Bertheau v Nickell 7♦ All Pass WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Hampson Zamir Greco Toledano 4♥ RKCB — — — Pass 5♣ '2 without' 1♣* Pass 2NT* Pass South tabled the ♥A and later overruffed 3♣* Pass 3♥* Pass declarers ♦8, -200. 3NT Pass 4♦ Pass 5NT Pass 6NT All Pass WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Helness de Wijs Helgemo Muller 1♣ Strong 1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass 2NT 14-15, no long suit or shortness 3♣ Pass 3NT Pass 3♣ Stayman 4♦ Pass 4♥ Pass 3♥ 4♥, not 4♠ 3NT 'Should be forcing' 4♠ Pass 4NT Pass 4♦ '4 cards, 3NT is forcing' 5♥ Pass 6♦ All Pass

- 10 - South led the ♦2 and declarer won with dummy's jack, played a spade for the queen and ace and won the diamond return. He played a heart to the ace and then cashed his diamonds before surrendering, -50.

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Hallberg Baqai Hult Dunitz — — — Pass 1♣* Pass 1♥ Pass 2NT Pass 4NT All Pass Gunnar Hallberg 1♣ 3+♣

North led the ♠9 for the queen and ace North led the ♣6 and declarer won with and declarer finished with 11 tricks, +460 dummy's jack and played the ♠Q. South and 11 IMPs. won and returned the ♦5, enabling declarer to try for a Vienna , cashing Levine v Gupta four clubs and the ♥A before cashing the diamonds. Nice try, but no swing. WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Korbel Meckstroth Gupta Rodwell The au pair pointed out that after a high spade lead by North declarer might — — — Pass consider withholding dummy's queen. 1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass If South started with a singleton ace you 2NT Pass 5NT Pass are home, but you can also get home at 6NT All Pass double-dummy by cashing four clubs followed by four diamonds after which a spade endplays South. This also works if North led the ♠10 and when declarer South started with four spades and the played dummy's queen South took the ace ♥K, as the last diamond will force South to and exited with a spade, -50. blank the ♥K or discard a spade. Declarer pitches his remaining small heart and WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH plays a spade, overtaking it with the king Helness de Wijs Helgemo Muller and playing a third spade, securing the last two tricks with the ♥A and a spade - the — — — Pass ♠2 if you want to be really classy! 1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass 2NT Pass 5NT Pass You may have noticed that Nickell lost 27 IMPs on these three deals in a match they 6NT All Pass lost by 18.1 IMPs. Had they made 6NT they would have turned the tables.

- 11 - No Common Ground

Round 6 By Mark Horton

You only have to look at any of the bidding Bertheau v Wolfson competitions run by bridge magazines WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH to appreciate that in almost every Ginossar Zagorin Cohen Bertheau non-obvious situation there will be no consensus by the expert panel as to the — — Pass Pass best bid. I found an example in Round 6: Pass 1♠ Pass 1NT Pass 4♥ Pass 5♣ Board 2. Dealer East. NS Vul. Pass 6♥ All Pass

♠ A K 10 8 5 4 ♥ A J 8 3 2 In Alan Truscott's The Bidding Dictionary ♦ Q he includes this in the list of sequences ♣ Q with no standard meaning, suggesting is might be a hand with around 19(?) points. ♠ 3 ♠ Q J 9 7 2 Clearly South hoped that 5♣ would be ♥ K 10 7 4 ♥ Q 6 5 interpreted as an attempt to play there, ♦ K 9 7 6 ♦ A J 4 3 but North took it as a cue bid agreeing ♣ 10 8 6 3 ♣ J hearts.

♠ 6 This unfortunate contract was six down, ♥ 9 -600. It was the only occasion where East ♦ 10 8 5 2 did not open 1♠. ♣ A K 9 7 5 4 2 Closed Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH This does not appear to be too Zamir Berkowitz Toledano Cohler complicated; if East opens 1♠ South can — — 1♠ 3♣ in clubs at whatever level he considers appropriate, which could end Pass 3♥ Pass 3♠ proceedings unless North thinks his hand Pass 4♣ All Pass is worth a move or East is tempted to re-open with a double. Declarer won the spade lead in dummy On the other hand my textbooks are not and played the ♦Q, East winning and full of advice about how best to deal with exiting with the ♣J. That meant declarer this particular hand pattern, which I once could score only eight tricks, -200 but a 9 christened a 'Cologne'. IMP pick up.

- 12 - Levine v Gupta

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH de Wijs Wold Muller Levine — — 1♠ 2♣ Pass 2♥ Pass 3♣ Pass 3NT All Pass

Frederic Volcker East led the ♠Q and declarer ducked, hoping to see a second spade. However, East switched to the ♣J and declarer took Edmonds v Setton dummy's AK and then played the ♥9 for the ten, jack and queen. East had pitched

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH the ♦3 on the second club and he now Versace Drijver Lauria Brink cashed the ♦A and continued with the four. — — 1♠ 4♣ Pass 5♣ All Pass West won with the king, cashed the ♣10 and played a diamond, East winning and exiting with a heart. A spade had to be lost Declarer won the spade lead in dummy at the end, -300. and played a diamond, the trump return restricting him to eight tricks, -300.

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Klukowski Bessis Gawrys Volcker — — 1♠ 2♣ Pass 2♥ Pass 3♣ Pass 3NT Pass Pass Dble Pass Pass 4♣ All Pass

After taking West spade lead in dummy declarer overtook the ♣Q with the king,cashed the ace, played a heart to the ace and then pitched a diamond on the ♠K which meant he had eight tricks, -200 and and Mike Levine 3 IMPs.

- 13 - WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH West switched to the ♦6 and East took the Helness Gold Helgemo Zia ace and returned the ♠Q, declarer winning with dummy's king as West pitched the — — 1♠ 2♣ ♦7. Declarer overtook the ♣Q, cashed a Dble Rdbl 2♦ 3♣ second club and exited with a diamond Pass 3♥ Dble 4♣ and West won with the nine. Cashing the ♦K and the ♣10 will result in four down, All Pass but unsure of the position, West played the ♥4 and East won with the queen, cashed the ♠J and exited with a spade, West West led his spade and declarer won and scoring the last two tricks with the red played the ♠K pitching a diamond. That kings, -300 and a 9 IMP swing. ensured nine tricks, -100 and a 5 IMP swing. We saw South overcall 2♣, 3♣ and 4♣. I would go for 3♣, which at the prevailing vulnerability must show a good suit in an Nickell v Ireland otherwise weak hand. It also has the merit of keeping 3NT in the picture if partner is WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH minded to bid it. McGann Greco Hanlon Hampson — — 1♠ 3♣ All Pass

The spade lead saw declarer play the ace followed by the king, +110.

Closed Room

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Dunitz Carroll Bagai Moran — — 1♠ 2♣ Dble Pass 2♦ Pass Pass 3♦* Pass 3NT All Pass

West led the ♠3 and declarer won with Eric Greco dummy's ace and played a a heart for the Photo: WBF six, nine and ten.

- 14 - Victim of the Day Christina Lund Madsen by Christina Lund Madsen

(On Zia's request (and because the editor - I grew up to the sound of my parents and spent most of yesterday travelling back grandparents playing cards. My parents from Sweden) we republish this interview taught my sister and me when we were from six months ago in a slightly updated about 8 and 10 and I played two years version. We will be back with more new with my mom at my parents’ local club Victims next event.) when I was 14-15. However I never played bridge with anyone my own age and there How old are you, where are you from, tell us were boys at basketball so I only played a about your family and background? few times during my teenage years. In the summer of 2001 I went to a junior - I have now reached the age where I need camp in Poland and that was it for me. to wear reading glasses and was kicked I became completely obsessed with the out of a party because I was too old. game and met the most intelligent and I am Danish and live just north of fun people from all over the world, many Copenhagen. I am a journalist and have of whom are my close friends today. been lucky to manage to combine my education with by passion. What is your most memorable moment in I am happily divorced and have two boys bridge? aged 11 and 12 who I will bring to bridge tournaments as soon as I can trust them - Bridge has given me so many unforget- to go to the pool without drowning and table moments I can hardly pick one. I not disturb me during play because they choose to tell you about how my biggest cannot find the iPad charger. moment became a wound for life. In Dallas in 2014 I won the Open Swiss at How has corona life been for you? the nationals on a team with my friends and and their Tough. I am a very social person. I work German teammates and at home so I don’t see many people daily Alexander Smirnov. I was added as a fifth besides my children. I miss all my bridge player and played only with Josef. I did not friends terribly and often dream about you earn a single dollar that event and crashed at night. in a good friend’s hotel room, and now one Yet in Denmark we have been lucky; the of my biggest dreams came true. I felt my government has provided financial sup- feet did not touch the ground that day or port for those affected by Covid (such as the next to come. myself) and bars and restaurants reopened A little more than a year later the cheating this week after four months lockdown. scandal happened. Piekarek-Smirnov con- fessed to having cheated. My teammates How did you begin to play bridge? and I forfeited the title and I did no longer mention my biggest moment to anyone.

- 15 - It was the World Championships in Bali 2013. I was there working as a bridge journalist for the first time. The Swedish women did not qua- lify for the knockouts and since I'm more or less an adopted Swede we decided to drown our sorrows On Borneo with my sons Hektor in waves on Bali with and Oskar in 2019. the midnight moon as our only witness. And two English bridge players wearing glasses and shorts I won the European Championships the and holding their towels and proudly following year and thought that would declaring they were going for a swim. heal the wound, but it didn't and I think The naked Scandinavian girls beat them no win ever will, because there is nothing to it. Then a massive wave came and like the first. flushed away all the belongings of one player. She had no problem walking home Tell us something about yourself not many without her clothes, but among them was people know. a clock from her grandmother. She was devastated. So we all searched the sea - I have never done drugs and I l ove (naked) looking for her clock. The Brits superheroes. I have a thing for fantasy were very helpful but I kept wondering especially. Heroes with swords and chara- why they were wearing their glasses in cters with honourable hearts and special the ocean. abilities. As a child I used to dream I was a The next day they met a countryman to superhero. As a teenager I dreamt more of tell him how they had spent their evening. making out with the superhero. Now I tell England had also been knocked out, my kids I am one. and the player was a little annoyed (he played this week and his name rhymes Tell us a funny story from a bridge tour- with mould) and said “Just don’t tell nament. me you went skinny dipping with the Scandinavians.” His friend replied: - Hrm. I think many people would appre- “Yes – and I kept my glasses on!” ciate if I skip this question. Since I had a There was more than one funny story reputation for skinny dipping (before my from Bali, but you have to read Sjoert body's decay during Covid...) I will share Brink’s interview from the pre-bulletin of one story involving that. the first Major Alt to get another one.

- 16 - What interests do you have besides bridge? If you could give an advice to future genera- tions, what would it be? - I am not sure I would call it an interest as much as self-torture, but I run a bit more - Strive to be the best version of yourself. than the average bridge player. A year ago, Teach your children not to bully others. I had to run my first marathon to avoid There is no excuse for maltreating anyone. paying John Kranyak 500 dollars (yes, we were drunk when we made the bet and at Who would you like to partner, kiss, kill the time I liked my chances). between , Ton Bakkeren and Sebastiaan Drijver (picked by Sjoert Brink)? What goals do you have in bridge and life? - You never fully realise how annoying this - I want to be a world champion before question is until you are presented with it. I turn 50. But most of all I want to write I would kiss Ton because I think he would a book. I have written about 100 pages appreciate it more than the other two and of “The Student”, which has absolutely I would like to see his face when I do it. nothing to do with bridge. I plan to sell I would partner Dennis because I owe it to Netflix and retire in a few years and him (at least) a world championship and work on the world championship... we always have very entertaining system chats on the plane before an event, espe- Name three things you are really bad at. cially if they don’t run out of champagne. Though I love playing with him, I will kill - Leaving a party early. Keeping my mouth Bas for reasons that only he and the parti- shut. Realising I’m in love. cipants at his wedding will know about. (The most annoying thing is I asked Sjoert: Vinita Gupta’s question for you: What is the ”So who do you think I picked?” and he secret of your enthusiastic approach to life? without hesitation got all three right including why.) - Strangely most people think I have lived a sorrowless life because I always seem so happy. I think it is the other way around. If you have had your share of hardship you become more appreciative of the joys life has to offer. I never want to regret not pursuing a dream. I might fail, but at least I tried.

When were you most happy?

- As for happines you often don't realise how happy you were until after. But I A happy moment before the think during the World Championships kill. Photo: EBL in Chennai 2015 and sleeping in a tent in the rainforest with my children are the happiest times of my life.

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